IT won’t be Santa’s sleigh bells you hear jingling on Saturday but the clap of hooves as the nags thunder down the home straight for the annual Moree Christmas twilight race meeting.
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Moree Race Club secretary, Michelle Gobbert, said the committee was expecting similar crowd numbers to last year’s record of about 3000.
“So close to Christmas everyone seems to be in a bit of a party mood, and lots of people are home to see their family. A lot of people are travelling from QLD, a good number of tickets we sold for the ‘party house’ were for people in QLD.
“I think there is probably a bit of a following with the young people,” she said.
The ‘party house’ is a new concept from the community to give younger people a space of their own with their own bar, food and deejay, which will also help alleviate some pressure from other areas.
Gobbert said nominations for the racing were strong.
The Sinclair and Fernando stables in Moree both have multiple entries.
Martin Fernando said Sutton Express would be his best chance on the day.
The “versatile” mare is nominated in the 1300m benchmark.
“She had a little bit of leg trouble so we gave her 12 months off but she’s had a few good hit outs now.
“Dandy Kat will be looking for a bit more ground but he’s pulled up a bit lame so I’m not sure if he’ll race. He’s been a good, old horse to us. I wish I had another four or five like him.”
Fernando also has Pushthru returning from a good spell and nominated in two races, and Flying Ash in the 950m class two plate.
He’s hoping to continue his winning form with a home track advantage on Saturday.
He’s been training on and off for the past few years, seeing 230 winners in that time.
“From about 2008 to 2011 was when I was real successful with horses like Nardoola Kid, Crowntreno and The Bargain,” Fernando said. “I didn’t dream it was going to be like this.”
Fernando left school at 13 and started his first job as a strapper with Collarenebri trainer Joe Willis.
“He taught me a lot about horses,” he said.
“I had a heart attack about 10 years ago so I had to give it up but I came back. I love horses. They’re in my blood. My dad was a drover so we grew up with horses.”
Fernando’s son Doug and his partner Sam Russell are also involved in racing with Doug in the process of applying for his trainer’s license.
“There’s a lot of paperwork involved.”
Moree rival, Peter Sinclair, will also be looking for a win or few.
“All mine will go around,” Sinclair said. “We’ve got one in the 900m - Petal’s Pride. It’s only a new horse so it’s the first start for us. It’ll go okay but probably be looking for a longer distance.
Montague Sarah will run in the 1300m maiden. “The distance should suit her I think but she’ll probably be better next preparation, but she’ll run a fair race.
“Likened is another new horse to the stable. It’ll go okay but it’ll probably be looking for further distance as well.
Sinclair said Dungiven, owned by a local syndicate, would run in the class two 950m.
“He won five races at the picnics last preparation so this will be his first start back from a spell. He’ll run a fair race but will improve with the run.”
Rock Right On will also have her first start back from a spell. “She’s in very good order. Last preparation she was a bit light in condition but she’s strengthened up a lot and should run a decent race.”
Miss Preserva, who used to be part of the Sinclair stable, will run the 1300m benchmark for Collarenebri trainer Kelly Smith.
The five-year-old mare ran in Gunnedah last weekend but Smith said the track was too heavy and she drew outside.
“Moree is like home to her and she’s won there before,” Smith said.
“If there’s not too much rain the track will be nice and firm and she’ll put on a show,” he said.